The trickle-down effect of Thursday's move to acquire Andre Miller from the Denver Nuggets is that Chris Singleton finally should get a shot to earn those minutes vacated by trading Jan Vesely.

Even though the Wizards (26-28) have an open roster spot by also unloading Eric Maynor to the Philadelphia 76ers, they'll evaluate if Al Harrington can bounce back from having loose particles in his right knee removed and be a factor going into the postseason.

Harrington practiced fully last week and is on the verge of returning. He has played only seven games in his first season in Washington. He was brought in to be the stretch power forward the Wizards had lacked and showed flashes of being able to provide that until the pain became too severe. He had a staph infection in his right knee and only played 10 games with the Orlando Magic last year.

Singleton, who didn't have the fourth-year option on his rookie deal picked up before the season, has only played in 14 games and averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.7 minutes.

The Wizards cleared out a roster spot and have 14 of the maximum 15 players allowed under contract, but Harrington's form will determine their next move, if any.

They can comb the D-League and issue a 10-day contract which basically is a tryout, sign a free agent who is available now or will become available before the March 1 deadline to make roster adjustments for the postseason, or see what players are available when they come back from Chinese basketball season.

With Miller's arrival, Garrett Temple, a 6-6 versatile defender, can return to his primary role on the wing and not be concerned with initiating the offense and being the primary ball-handler behind John Wall, a role that Maynor was supposed to fill.

Despite his age, Miller will be 38 next month, he has proven to be durable which is key for a roster that was one ankle tweak by Wall from being in dire straits. And just last season, in Game 1 of a first-round series vs. the Golden State Warriors, Miller impressed with his ability to still win games. In just 27 minutes, Miller had 28 points and five assists of a 97-95 victory. That included the game-winning bucket.

If he can duplicate that effort just once in a playoff game, the deal to get him will be worth it.